• Guys, we've spent considerable money converting the Les Paul Forum to this new XenForo platform, and we have ongoing monthly operating expenses. THE "DONATIONS" TAB IS NOW WORKING, AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY DONATIONS YOU CAN MAKE TO KEEP THE LES PAUL FORUM GOING! Thank you!

Detailed info on some 1970’s Les Pauls

MattL0712

New member
Joined
Jan 28, 2017
Messages
9
Just came across a gorgeous black Les Paul, which I was told was from the late 60s when I picked it up (haven’t bought it yet, just on loan), but after doing some slight research here is what I’ve got: I’ve been told it is a 1970’s model, that it had been refinished in Black, and that someone had shaved down the neck volute (which isn’t noticeable at all). Apparently due to the slight seams showing across the top, you can see that it is a 3-Piece top. HOWEVER, it has full-sized humbuckers in it, yet it has a DELUXE truss rod cover. Now the big question I’m getting at is this: I know that starting in 1972, Deluxe models were able to be ordered with full-sized humbuckers. But what years in total were they available that way, and when did they reintroduce the Standard and stop putting the full-sized on “Deluxe” models? Side question, what types of humbuckers would they have been, if known? Thanks in advance to all!
 

Big Al

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
99.9% that is a routed Deluxe. Humbucker option until the Standard reissue around 1975. A look at the routs would help.
 

Bob Womack

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 8, 2002
Messages
2,189
The "small-script," built in Kalamazoo Standards started in '73 and were equipped with full-sized T-Top 'buckers and a truss rod cover marked "Standard" in... wait for it... small script. If your guitar has the Deluxe truss rod cover, as Big Al said, it likely was a Deluxe with added large humbuckers. Pics of the pickup wells would help.

Bob
 

MattL0712

New member
Joined
Jan 28, 2017
Messages
9
https://pin.it/4oooiiorehwgah

https://pin.it/rucltfhby6q3kf

https://pin.it/pbqdxsgkbh4hav

https://pin.it/hvifz2hmzosofb

https://pin.it/jdgz27wo2lhuxz

The only way I could figure out to link the pictures I had were through a Pinterest article, but hopefully they’ll suffice. Any more info would be greatly appreciated! I’ve heard some Deluxes were pushed out as special orders with full-sized humbuckers, before the Standards were reinstroduced. It’s been speculated that this could be a 72-75 LP, but I’m not much of an expert on that.
 

toxpert

Active member
Joined
Jul 2, 2005
Messages
3,068
This is the guitar that our lunar varmint expert detailed what you have in the other thread. No way that is a Gibson-manufactured neck humbucker install. The do-it-yourselfer modded and cut away the side of the pickup ring to install the neck pickup that close to the fingerboard. The rest of your pictures also illustrate the extensive mods to that guitar...including a modded ‘Deluxe’ truss rod cover. Something is going on there with the bottom of the truss rod cover cut off and installed in that manner.
 

Bob Womack

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 8, 2002
Messages
2,189
The hardware is tarnished as if it were nickel rather than chrome. The '73-'75 run guitars were fitted with chrome hardware and an ABR-1 bridge. Yours has a Nashville bridge. Guitars from... wait for it... Nashville... had this variation of the ABR-1. Nashville production started in '76. However, since this guitar has been refinished, it could have been refitted with all these typical spotting features.

Bob
 

MattL0712

New member
Joined
Jan 28, 2017
Messages
9
Awesome, I sure appreciate all of the extensive info on the instrument! It does sound really great, but with all the modifications and bits and pieces thrown together, I’m not sure if it’s worth the asking price for it. $1500 seems a bit steep for something so heavily (and unprofessionally) modded. I may just stick with the 2016 Traditional I have for the time being and look for another late 60s-early 70s Les Paul. Absolutely another Black Beauty-esque one! Anyways, thanks a bunch everyone, this is definitely the place to come for all the right info!
 

Wilko

All Access/Backstage Pass
Joined
Mar 11, 2002
Messages
20,853
Completely wrong logo and placement.
 

pjisaacs

Member
Joined
Mar 28, 2017
Messages
39
I think you're wise to walk away from that - are the knobs in a strange place? (could be picture angle), similarly the back of the headstock looks funky - volute shaved off?

etc.etc
 
Top